Cellino fuming at Roma win

Cagliari's appeal to overturn a win awarded to Roma following the abandoned match between the sides has "nothing to do with sport" according to Massimo Cellino.

The match - originally to be held in September - was called off shortly before its scheduled kick-off time after Cagliari president Cellino himself encouraged fans to fill the Is Arenas despite local authorities ruling it be played behind closed doors.

Safety fears meant it could not go ahead and the Italian Football Federation laid the blame entirely with Cellino, resulting in a 3-0 win being awarded to Roma in accordance with the rules.

However, the official was less than happy with the outcome, blasting the league and Roma themselves for what he labelled "subterfuge."

"The truth is that Roma did not want to play the game and because of this they are unsporting," he said. "I am bitter, not so much at losing 3-0, but at Roma's attitude. The club had, until this situation, been a friend to us, as we shared joy, fun and even joking insults.

"Now I don't even know who owns Roma and they wanted to win at all costs, even with subterfuge! It was like simulating to win a penalty or scoring with your hand and not admitting it.

"Cagliari are a serious club that can boast a strong sense of sporting fairness and, above all, a president who stands up for his side and does not hide behind investment funds.

"A large part of my sporting soul died today, this sentence has nothing to do with sport. It is like a horror movie and I will have to rethink my involvement with the club after 21 years in which I have given everything."